Page 69 of The Grumpy Vet
"Right. So what's the word for what you guys are?"
"Um, I guess you could use the word throuple."
"Is that what you guys call it?"
I shake my head. "We don't really call it anything. We just…love each other."
"Love." Dad repeats the word, lifting his head slowly then bringing it back down again. "So this is serious?"
"It is." I blow out a breath. "I know it's unconventional, and it's still very new to us, too. I never expected this. I always thought I'd find one guy to settle down with. But there's something about the three of us that just works and makes me so happy. That makes all of us so happy. Even though Linus is your best mate. Even though he's older than us. Even though we all work together. It just feels so good when we're together. I love them both, Dad. With all my heart."
"Well…in that case…I…support you, son."
"You do?"
"Of course. I'm sorry if I'm acting a little weird, but I've been inconsoling my grieving best matemode for the past few days. This has come out of the blue."
"I know. And I'm sorry for keeping it from you. You and I have no secrets, and I've hated not being honest about this."
"Wait a minute." He frowns deeply and wags his finger at me. "Were you and Dario living with Linus?"
"Pretty much, yeah. He asked us to move in right after his dad passed, but then when you showed up, we went back to mine to not raise any suspicions."
"And all this time I've been here, you and Dario have kept your distance from him. I mean, it didn't even cross my mind that something was going on."
"We didn't want to freak you out."
"Jesus Christ," Dad mutters, charging his fingers through his hair. "Now I feel like a dick for barging into your lives and making you and Dario move back to your place."
"It's not your fault." I clasp my chest. "It's mine. This is all on me."
Dad shakes his head. "I'm sorry you felt like you had to keep it from me."
"I'm sorry for not trusting you. You've always been great about everything."
He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. "If I was there for you during your Justin Bieber era, please know that means I'll be there for anything. Nothing could be worse than that."
I chuckle. "You're the best, Dad."
He lets go of my hand, and for the first time since we've been out here, a mischievous glint shines in his blue eyes. "Don't suppose I could interest you in a little evil plan, could I?"
I angle my head, curious. "Depends. What did you have in mind?"
Linus
"Thank fuck that's over," I say, kicking off my boots at the entrance and heading straight for the fridge to grab a cold one.
I didn't want to get pissed at the pub with everyone around, but now that we're back at mine, I can kick back, decompress, and enjoy a beer.
I need some alcohol after today.
Actually, what I really need is my guys, but with Oakey here, that's not going to happen. I understand why we have to cover our tracks and act like everything is nice and normal, but, damn, I wish that either I or Ryde could take Oakey aside and just tell him already.
But this isn't the right time, and after getting the timing wrong on my firstI love youto my guys, I'm wary of putting my foot in my mouth again.
We'll have to wait, I guess. Maybe I can go visit him in a month or so. Or maybe we can invite him back out and tell him together. Can't really say I've given much thought to the logistics of how my own death could play out.
Once everyone has a drink in their hands, we flop down in the living room. I take one armchair, Oakey the other, and Dario and Ryde sit on the sofa.
